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By the time they were finished, she felt as if she were half asleep and half awake, floating through calm waters.
But the moment the droids closed the doors behind them, leaving her alone in the fragrant warmth, her mind began to spin again.
What am I going to do?
“Oberon,” she said. “Are you there?”
“Always,” he told her.
“I would like to make a call,” she said.
“Calls are not permitted from the Center,” he said.
“But I got a call earlier,” she protested.
“Your colleague explained that the situation was life and death,” Oberon explained. “I was able to grant an exception to let the call through without video feed.”
So that was why the call hadn’t been via holo.
“I just… feel like I need to talk to a friend,” Naomi said. “What if it’s someone who is already part of the program?”
“Give me a name,” Oberon said. “I can’t confirm or deny a participant’s status, but I might be able to project a call for you if the one you name is with the Center and wishes to speak with you.”
“Thank you,” Naomi said, practically tearing up with relief.
She thought of Piper, Haven, and Alexis, but all three were most likely beyond the point of still being at the Center.
“Chloe?” she asked, hoping that Chloe had actually made it.
“One moment,” Oberon said.
The soft music seemed quieter and the room larger as she waited. She had never felt more alone.
One of the mirrors on the wall flickered into a screen.
“Naomi?” Chloe said softly.
“Chloe,” Naomi sighed happily. “Sorry, I’m in the tub.”
“I can’t see anything but bubbles and flower petals,” Chloe laughed. “Are you getting pampered?”
“Yes,” Naomi said. “How about you?”
“Well, sure, but not like that,” Chloe said with her signature bright smile. “Hey, I didn’t know we could make calls.”
“Only to each other, I think,” Naomi said. “Privacy mode, please.”
“Privacy mode confirmed,” Oberon said.
“Oberon mentioned you could use an ear,” Chloe said sympathetically. “What’s going on? How’s your intended parent?”
“It’s not him,” Naomi said quickly.
“It isn’t?” Chloe asked, her brow furrowing.
“Well, I mean it has to do with him, but it’s not him,” Naomi said. “He’s great.”
“He is?” Chloe asked, waggling her eyebrows slightly.
